VIDALIA — Want to start a business but don’t know where to begin? Help will be in town next Tuesday.

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center will host a workshop on starting a business from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Concordia Bank in Vidalia.

The workshop will look at everything from licensing and zoning requirements to how to understand who your business’ market and competition are, LSBDA Assistant Director at Northwestern State University Frances Methvin said.

“Most of the people who attend our workshops are not in business, so we just sort of take it from step one and walk them through the process,” Methvin said.

Vidalia Chamber of Commerce Director Jamie Burley said the workshop will be perfect for people who want to start or expand an existing business but don’t really know where to start.

“I have had several people calling me wanting to start a small business and to find out about small business loans, and this should answer their questions,” Burley said.

After the workshop presenter demonstrates to those present how to make a business plan and cash flow projections, among other things, they will open the floor up for questions, Methvin said.

Along with the workshop, Burley said those involved are going to be talking with local banks about becoming express lenders approved through the U.S. Small Business Association.

“Once you are an approved express lender you can get a loan through within a matter of a day,” she said. “It doesn’t take days to get your money, and small businesses need that around here.”

The workshop is free, but those who wish to attend must register beforehand to ensure enough materials are available to all participants.

To register, contact the LSBDC at 318-484-2123 or register online at www.lsbdc.org/events.aspx.